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Home is important to me. In addition to being a place that provides shelter and protection, it's also where I find refuge and sanctuary. Home provides a temporary escape from the current sociopolitical climate, which continues to frustrate and anger me to no end. I think that's why when I'm not marching, volunteering, mothering or working, I spent my time pouring over colorful design. It's escapism that actually makes me feel inspired and creative. Penelope Green, a writer for the NYT, noted, "[people] are trying to feather their own nests as a prophylactic against the chaos" and they are searching for beauty, comfort and a bit of joy. I couldn't agree more, which brings me to the work of Ghislaine Viñas. Her designs just lift me up; simply put, they make me happy.

Joyful (or is it joyous) is definitely a word I would use to describe Ghislaine's Sky House project - designed in collaboration with architect David Hotson - for which she won the Interior Design Magazine BOY in 2012. In fact I would use that same adjective to describe all of the spaces that she designs; they are infused with style, art, humor and so much COLOR (I can't think of many other designers who embrace bright hues more). Every project Ghislaine puts her finger on is so readily (and immediately) identifiable as her’s. Her original aesthetic and obvious passion are why she has accomplished such mastery over her domain. Ghislaine says that, "being a designer, staying authentic and unique is my job. It’s what I do to stand out and differentiate myself from what others are doing. You can be inspired by peers or those who came before you, but you need to bring your unique flavor to the work you do."

I really enjoyed listening to this Clever Podcast . In it Ghislaine talks about her childhood (she was born in the Netherlands, raised in South Africa), being an interior designer, starting a business at the same time as having young children (my biggest personal struggle is balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood) and she shares her general philosophy:

"The most important thing for me is that [clients] step into the house and they just feel good; it's [really about] the aesthetics of happiness... it just makes you feel happy or calm or it feels like home." She also adds that it has to be stress-free.

I hope this post brings you some joy, happiness and inspiration. Enjoy the weekend!

xx, Batya

[The photos have been posted with permission, courtesy of Ghislaine Viñas.]

I've travelled to a good number of places, but one destination that has eluded me is Morocco. It's a country that is high on my bucket list and recently I've found myself "pinning" away on my Maroc board. I'd love to immerse myself in the culture, eat tagine, learn how to tile, hike around the Atlas Mountains and wander through the souks. Sleeping in one of those beautifully designed riads would make the trip complete!

For the past year I've been doing a "country of the week" with my boys. We spin the globe, close our eyes, and stop its movement with a pencil eraser. Then we study whatever country we've landed on for the next 7-10 days. We talk about culture, language, government, history, food, design and art. When possible, I also try to find something local here in Denver that complements our "country of the week." For example, while we were studying Japan the "Samurai" exhibit was at the Denver Art Museum, we grabbed paletas on Federal Blvd. when we were learning about Mexico, and we ate delicious hummus at Damascus when landed on Syria (we also spoke of ways we could help the refugees fleeing civil war).

This week we are studying Morocco so you'll definitely find me eating at Maatam Fez on Colfax! And since I have Sephardic-Moroccan heritage on my biological/paternal side, this week's country really resonates with me personally and it's something I've been looking forward to!

Here's our Moroccan mood board. Enjoy!

Top left to right...

1. Berber Rug. You can support Moroccan artisans and their work though these two sites: Green Olive Art // Anou.

I've been captivated by the American Southwest ever since we (my father, mother, brother and I) took a family trip and travelled throughout the region in 1986. My parents rented an enormous motor home/RV and we drove across 4 states over a 2 week period. I was 10 at the time, and when we stopped at the Grand Canyon I remember saying, "One day I'm going to live out here..." To which my mother, in her very-Bronx-accent, responded, "Yeah, right." (The rest is history!)

We officially kicked off summer this week and I, for one, can't wait until we start road-tripping across Utah and New Mexico! One of the benefits of living in Denver, in addition to everything that is going on here and the proximity we have to the mountains, is that we're only a few hours away from the desert and its magnificent sunsets. Oh, and huge cacti too! Here are a few of our favorites things right now...

Today is the Vernal Equinox and it definitely feels like spring in Denver. Trees are blooming all over the city and our garden is coming back to life...

Three years ago we tore up a large section of cement, which had been part of a driveway running along the side of our home, and turned the newly cleared space into 4 elevated garden beds.

Now that I have some planting experience under my belt, I've decided to be more strategic about what we try and grow this season. The chives, rosemary, lavender and mint have all returned, and I'll definitely add basil (Italian and Thai), thyme, parsley, tomatillos, and tomatoes into the mix. But I'm going to stop growing greens like arugula, lettuce and kale because they haven't done particularly well and one large salad wipes out the crop (again, this is an urban garden and not a farm). I'm going to replace the greens (which we will now get through our CSA and farmers market), with butterfly plants and local flowers that attract bees. I figure it's the least we can do to support our pollinators...and my boys will have fun watching all the insects, which I hope will descend on our garden!

To celebrate the Equinox, here's a round-up of some wonderful designs and art featuring one of our favorite orders: Lepidoptera. Enjoy!

9. I Love You (Pink, Poppy and Gold), Damien Hirst. 2015. As Hirst says: ’Love is a beautiful thing and I see it as a small antidote to all the horror in the world’. And, in the case of the piece above, no butterflies died for art so maybe the artist himself has had a change of heart.

I enjoy traveling, photography, hiking, street art, design, architecture, food trucks, gardening, the cosmos, cooking with the seasons, political activism and wallpaper! I know my interests span a variety of categories, here's where they all come together.